Safety-balance.



M. G. *HOUGHTON SAFETY BALANCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.27. 1913A Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

www0/wao MILFOR-D Gr. HOUGHTON, OF WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI.

SAFETY-Bananen.

inst-3,991.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mal-.3,1914.

Application filed March 27, 1913. Serial No. 757,186.

To all 'whom t may concern Be it known that L MILFORD G. HOUGH- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Webster Groves, in the county of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Safety-Balances; and l do hereby declare the following to -be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to aeroplanes, and it more particularly relates to an improved form of balancing device for an aeroplane of ordinary construction.

Anl object of the invention is to provide an improved balancing device in the form of a pendulum which is suspended from the lower part of the aeroplane for preventing the latter from diving too abruptly, and also preventing said aeroplane from toppling y sidewise.-

Another object of the invention is to provide a pendulum of this character which is collapsible and has means connected therewith for collapsing and extending it at will.

Another object of the invention is to provide equalizing springs in connection with said pendulumv for coacting with the pendulum in tendin Vto hold the aeroplane level.

Another obJect of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is of simple construction, compact, comparatively inexpensive and thoroughly eflicient.

Another object is to provide a circular guard or frame for limiting the swing of the pendulum, and coacting therewith for limiting the inclination of the aeroplane.

Other objects and advantages may be recited hereinafter and in the claims.

1n the accompanying drawings, which supplement this specification; Aldigure 1 is a rear elevation view of an aeroplane having my improved balancing pendulum attached. Fig. 2 is a side elevation view. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, from the opposite side, illustrating the aeroplane in diving position. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the circular frame or guard. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the pendulum and the hanger stherefor, said pendulum being in its collapsed position, and Fig. 6 is a similar view, the pendulum being in its extended position. Y

Referring to these drawings, in which similar reference characters correspond with l14 also extends through said ball.

similar parts throughout the several views, the invention consists of the pendulum 10, the hanger element 11 and the spring elements 12., The pendulum consists of two telescoping sections 13 and 14, the latter being of tubular form and having a ball 15 formed on one end, while the aperture 16 which extends through the tubular portion While this element 15 is described as a ball, it is obviously not essential that it shall be a complete and perfect ball, since it may be any segmental portion of a ball, such that will properly constitute a ball-joint element. The pendulum element 13 consists of a tubular upper section and an enlarged lower section or bulb, the latter being preferably formed integrally with said upper portion and being provided with a recess 17 which communicates wit-h the recess of the tubular upper portion. This bulb may also be provided with a counterbore 18 which communicates withl the aperture 17, being of larger size than said aperture, and constituting a seat in which a knot 19, formed on the lower end of a hoisting line or cable 20, is seated. This cable vextends upward through the aperture 17, tubular elements 13 and 14 and ball 15, and connects with a reel or drum 21, which may be provided for raising and lowering the element 13 relative to the element 14. However, it is to be understood that any suitable hoisting means may be employed in lieu of the drum 21.

The hanger element 11 is suitably apertured at 22 and recessed at 23, for the rc ception of the t-ubular element 14 and balljoint element 15 respectively, and said hanger element is also provided with apertures 24, for the reception of fastening means whereby it may be secured to the bottom surface 25 of an aeroplane of ordinary construction.

A suitable collar or enlargement 26 is formed on the tubular element 14 and is provided with apertures which are engaged by the lower ends of the springsv 1Q, while the upper ends of said springs are engaged with lugs 27, formed on the hanger 11. These springs tend to hold the pendulum in equilibrium, or in perpendicular relation to the lower surface of the aeroplane; and, since the force of gravity tends to hold the pendulum in vertical position, the springs coact therewith for tending to hold the aeroplane in horizontal position, and therefore,

ico

if the operator should temporarily lose control of the aeroplane, the pendulum and its adjuncts would operate as a controlling means therefor. In order that the 'pendulum may be kept Within proper limits, I have provided a circular guard or frame 28, formed with arms or hanger elements 29, the latter being provided with apertured plates. 30 whereby the frame may be secured on to the lower surface of the aeroplane. This frame is mounted concentrically with the ball-joint element l5, and is of such size, and so related with the pendulum that the latter is not allowed to swing beyond a certain predetermined degree ot angular'ity, so that the aeroplane, when diving, is prevent- Ved Afrom diving too abruptly or too 'nearly vertical, said aeroplane being arrested in its movement toward the Vertical plane by means of the frame 28 impinging upon the pendulum, as illustrated in F ig. 3.

It will be seenthat I have `provided a safety balance of this character, which is fully capable of attaining the desired objects, in a thoroughly practical and eicient manner.

I do not limit my invention tothe exact details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts, as herewith illustrated and described, but myinvention may only be limited by a reasonable interpretation of the claims.

I claim l. A safety balancing pendulum including a support having` an annular guide ring, a socket member adapted to be Vsecured centrally within the borders of said support and a telescoping pendulum member having a ball end yieldably and swivelly secured within saidsocket member, said pendulum being limited in movement by said annular guide.

2. A safety balancing *pendulum including an annular guide ring having upturned support-ing legs for attachment to an aeroplane, a socket member for attachment to an aeroplane within the inclosure of said legs, a telescoping pendulum having a ball end mounted in said socket, and helical springs attached to said pendulum and to Said socket member, said pendulum being limited in movement by said guide rings.

In testimony whereof, I aiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

MILFORD G. HOUGHTON. l Witnesses:

W. N. ANDERECK, J.' H. LAUB. 

